Is it possible to learn linux on iLiad (practically)?

golagha · 05-27-2008, 02:30 AM

Hi,
I am totally new to iLiad. Honestly I have no iLiad! but I want to buy one. I have two questions:

1. Assume that I want to learn linux. now I need the following:
. . . . a : a good and easy book on linux and with a good format which needs minimum zoom, pan, etc. operations on iLiad. I think that something in prc or pdb format is good. Am I right? where can I find a free ebook as mentioned above?

. . . . b : a simulator for linux operating system on iLiad. I read something about mxvrt (or something like that name! I dont remember) which is a linux shell. Is it enough for me to learn linux on iLiad?

2. Is there any compiler for gnu c++ on iLiad? so I can write simple programs for my immediate daily needs?

regards and thanks in advance.

Martijn · 05-27-2008, 04:13 AM

I don't know about 1a. There are plenty of resources on the web though (like http://linuxcommand.org/), so you could use plucker to create a pdb file.

There is no "simulator" for the linux OS on the iLiad, the iLiad runs linux natively

The program mxvrt indeed opens a shell so you can access the command line.
If all you want to do is to learn the command line, then I guess you could do it on the iLiad.
I wouldn't recommend it though.
Typing in a command by tapping on the on screen keyboard is possible, but cumbersome. Also, because of the slow screen updates it takes a while before your typing appears on screen.

You could also install an ssh daemon on your iLiad so that you can log in from your regular computer using an ssh client (like PuTTY). That way you have a regular computer and a regular screen, but every command you issue is executed by the linux OS on your iLiad.

Instead of doing that, however, your might as well run a Virtual Machine on your regular computer and install linux on the VM. It's cheaper than the iLiad, and if you somehow break the linux installation on your VM you simply reinstall it (as opposed to reflashing your iLiad).
Or get an old PC (any Pentium with 64 Mb of memory) and install linux on it.
Or get Knoppix, a bootable cd/dvd that allows you to run linux on your normal computer without installing it.

So, to answer the question in the subject of your post: It is possible to learn linux on the iLiad, but it is far from practical. There are many better alternatives to learn linux.

Oh, and concerning 2: I don't know about a port of gcc for the iLiad. I think most developers use cross-compiling. That is, they use a special version of the gcc compiler that runs on their regular computer, but which produces executables for the iLiad's processor (that's what I do anyway).

golagha · 05-27-2008, 05:05 AM

Thanks for your attention.
Regarding my question about linux learning, I whish I had a small machin (like iliad) that was portable (not a PC or laptop). any way, your guide was valuable.

Regarding gcc, again I wish I had a simple thing with myself to do C++ programming.

your answer took me to some new fields od practice. so thanks again

Flow · 05-27-2008, 05:24 AM

n810 is a nice linux gadget.

haridasi · 05-27-2008, 07:43 AM

Using the iliad to learn linux isn´t a good starting point. Linux is well hidden in it and you only access it through the terminal you mentioned. And the terminal is, well... unpractical.

If you want to learn linux there is some other options around. You can for example download ubuntu: http://www.kubuntu.org/download.php#latest
(The link is to ubuntu with the kde desktop) and burn it to a cd. If you restart your computer with the ubuntu cd inside, then linux (kubuntu) will start and you can use it to learn linux without installing anything to your computer. It has a help guide etc. If you want to install linux on your pc, then there´s an icon on the desktop that you can click.

That is the best starting point for learning linux.

axel77 · 05-27-2008, 08:34 AM

IMHO You learn linux by playing with linux, not by reading a book.

I'd advice against learning on the iLiad, its too dangerous to brick it if you don't know what you are doing.

If you don't have a dedicated computer I'd eigther go for a virtual machine like VMware or completly new is this cool thing:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/

This will install a linux on your computer WITHOUT need to change your harddisk at all, the linux will reside on a single file within your windows harddisk..

yokos · 05-27-2008, 10:39 AM

Learning Linux on iLiad?
iLiad doesn't look like a normal linux system on a desktop PC.
The well known Linux distributions like Ubuntu etc. use GNOME, KDE or other desktop environments. The iLiad uses a limited window manager matchbox w/o a desktop.

wallcraft · 05-27-2008, 11:26 AM

The best way to learn Linux is to install it on a Desktop computer (here "Desktop" could be a standard laptop). Note that if you have a Windows Desktop it is easy to configure it to dual-boot into Linux. Or you can run Linux as a virtual machine (e.g. VMware) inside a single Windows window. Or you can run Linux completely from a USB stick, without touching your existing Desktop O/S at all.

Adam B. · 05-27-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axel77

...or completly new is this cool thing:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/

This will install a linux on your computer WITHOUT need to change your harddisk at all, the linux will reside on a single file within your windows harddisk..

+1

The WUBI installer is great for those used to the Windows world, and wanting to try out linux. It's faster than virtualization, easy to install/uninstall, and won't break any existing windows stuff.

golagha · 05-27-2008, 06:08 PM

got it! many thanks for your effort

TurboProp · 05-29-2008, 08:45 AM

A good and arguably the best way to learn linux is too install UnxUtils on your Windows PC. Allows to run most commonly used Unix utilities such as grep, tail, find, etc. in the command line mode, alongside Windows native commands. Cygwin works fine too, but has a bit too many (and in many cases unnecessary) things for beginners.

For GUI, you can install free VMWare player and use any of the Linux distributions available as VMWare images. The one we have in this forum, for example.

basschick · 05-29-2008, 09:46 AM

golagha, i don't know where you're located, but we bought a cheap used pc to learn linux on - it was like $50 on craigslist. we got to play with several versions and ended up with a better computer with vector linux on it.

golagha · 05-31-2008, 02:30 AM

Dear TurboProp
thanks for your help. I will check it out (UNXUTILS)

Regards

joblack · 05-31-2008, 08:22 PM

I think you can´t 'learn' Linux perfectly ... there will be always something you don´t know

.

golagha · 06-01-2008, 02:21 AM

Dear joblack
Frankly your right. we have a short story in our culture mentioning that:
"Only All of man kind know all things and All man kind have not born yet!"

excuse for Off Topic!
Regards

05-27-2008, 02:30 AM	#1
golagha Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: iRex iLiad Black	Is it possible to learn linux on iLiad (practically)? Hi, I am totally new to iLiad. Honestly I have no iLiad! but I want to buy one. I have two questions: 1. Assume that I want to learn linux. now I need the following: . . . . a : a good and easy book on linux and with a good format which needs minimum zoom, pan, etc. operations on iLiad. I think that something in prc or pdb format is good. Am I right? where can I find a free ebook as mentioned above? . . . . b : a simulator for linux operating system on iLiad. I read something about mxvrt (or something like that name! I dont remember) which is a linux shell. Is it enough for me to learn linux on iLiad? 2. Is there any compiler for gnu c++ on iLiad? so I can write simple programs for my immediate daily needs? regards and thanks in advance.

05-27-2008, 10:39 AM	#7
yokos Pac-Man caught my iLiad. Posts: 807 Karma: 3595 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany; next to Baltic Sea Device: Boox Max Lumi, iRex iLiad (RIP)	Learning Linux on iLiad? iLiad doesn't look like a normal linux system on a desktop PC. The well known Linux distributions like Ubuntu etc. use GNOME, KDE or other desktop environments. The iLiad uses a limited window manager matchbox w/o a desktop. Last edited by yokos; 05-27-2008 at 10:47 AM.

05-29-2008, 08:45 AM	#11
TurboProp Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ireland <-> Bay Area Device: Rex iLiad, Blackberry Curve	My $0.02 A good and arguably the best way to learn linux is too install UnxUtils on your Windows PC. Allows to run most commonly used Unix utilities such as grep, tail, find, etc. in the command line mode, alongside Windows native commands. Cygwin works fine too, but has a bit too many (and in many cases unnecessary) things for beginners. For GUI, you can install free VMWare player and use any of the Linux distributions available as VMWare images. The one we have in this forum, for example.

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05-27-2008, 04:13 AM	#2
Martijn Connoisseur Posts: 68 Karma: 855 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Netherlands Device: iLiad	I don't know about 1a. There are plenty of resources on the web though (like http://linuxcommand.org/), so you could use plucker to create a pdb file. There is no "simulator" for the linux OS on the iLiad, the iLiad runs linux natively The program mxvrt indeed opens a shell so you can access the command line. If all you want to do is to learn the command line, then I guess you could do it on the iLiad. I wouldn't recommend it though. Typing in a command by tapping on the on screen keyboard is possible, but cumbersome. Also, because of the slow screen updates it takes a while before your typing appears on screen. You could also install an ssh daemon on your iLiad so that you can log in from your regular computer using an ssh client (like PuTTY). That way you have a regular computer and a regular screen, but every command you issue is executed by the linux OS on your iLiad. Instead of doing that, however, your might as well run a Virtual Machine on your regular computer and install linux on the VM. It's cheaper than the iLiad, and if you somehow break the linux installation on your VM you simply reinstall it (as opposed to reflashing your iLiad). Or get an old PC (any Pentium with 64 Mb of memory) and install linux on it. Or get Knoppix, a bootable cd/dvd that allows you to run linux on your normal computer without installing it. So, to answer the question in the subject of your post: It is possible to learn linux on the iLiad, but it is far from practical. There are many better alternatives to learn linux. Oh, and concerning 2: I don't know about a port of gcc for the iLiad. I think most developers use cross-compiling. That is, they use a special version of the gcc compiler that runs on their regular computer, but which produces executables for the iLiad's processor (that's what I do anyway).

05-27-2008, 05:05 AM	#3
golagha Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: iRex iLiad Black	Thanks for your attention. Regarding my question about linux learning, I whish I had a small machin (like iliad) that was portable (not a PC or laptop). any way, your guide was valuable. Regarding gcc, again I wish I had a simple thing with myself to do C++ programming. your answer took me to some new fields od practice. so thanks again

05-27-2008, 05:24 AM	#4
Flow Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: iRex iLiad	n810 is a nice linux gadget.

05-27-2008, 07:43 AM	#5
haridasi Zealot Posts: 119 Karma: 603 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oslo, Norway Device: irex iliad	Using the iliad to learn linux isn´t a good starting point. Linux is well hidden in it and you only access it through the terminal you mentioned. And the terminal is, well... unpractical. If you want to learn linux there is some other options around. You can for example download ubuntu: http://www.kubuntu.org/download.php#latest (The link is to ubuntu with the kde desktop) and burn it to a cd. If you restart your computer with the ubuntu cd inside, then linux (kubuntu) will start and you can use it to learn linux without installing anything to your computer. It has a help guide etc. If you want to install linux on your pc, then there´s an icon on the desktop that you can click. That is the best starting point for learning linux.

05-27-2008, 08:34 AM	#6
axel77 Fanatic Posts: 584 Karma: 914 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: iliad	IMHO You learn linux by playing with linux, not by reading a book. I'd advice against learning on the iLiad, its too dangerous to brick it if you don't know what you are doing. If you don't have a dedicated computer I'd eigther go for a virtual machine like VMware or completly new is this cool thing: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/ This will install a linux on your computer WITHOUT need to change your harddisk at all, the linux will reside on a single file within your windows harddisk..

05-27-2008, 11:26 AM	#8
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The best way to learn Linux is to install it on a Desktop computer (here "Desktop" could be a standard laptop). Note that if you have a Windows Desktop it is easy to configure it to dual-boot into Linux. Or you can run Linux as a virtual machine (e.g. VMware) inside a single Windows window. Or you can run Linux completely from a USB stick, without touching your existing Desktop O/S at all.

05-27-2008, 06:08 PM	#10
golagha Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: iRex iLiad Black	got it! many thanks for your effort

05-29-2008, 09:46 AM	#12
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	golagha, i don't know where you're located, but we bought a cheap used pc to learn linux on - it was like $50 on craigslist. we got to play with several versions and ended up with a better computer with vector linux on it.

05-31-2008, 02:30 AM	#13
golagha Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: iRex iLiad Black	Dear TurboProp thanks for your help. I will check it out (UNXUTILS) Regards

05-31-2008, 08:22 PM	#14
joblack Wizard Posts: 1,746 Karma: 4382514 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere on earth Device: Onyx Boox Tab X	I think you can´t 'learn' Linux perfectly ... there will be always something you don´t know .

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06-01-2008, 02:21 AM	#15
golagha Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2008 Device: iRex iLiad Black	Dear joblack Frankly your right. we have a short story in our culture mentioning that: "Only All of man kind know all things and All man kind have not born yet!" excuse for Off Topic! Regards